Thomas mason



@ath faire @anni @Hirn J. A. WOODWARD, S. S. WOODWARD, AND THOMAS MASON, OF SANDWICH, ILLINOIS.

Letters Patent No. 82,191, dated September 15, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN GULTIVAIORSJ Flits tlgrmrle referat in im that Eaters atmt mit' mating am uf it: same.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN':

Be it known that we, J. A. WooDWABD, S. S. WooDwAnD, and THOMAS Mason, of Sandwich, in the county of De Kalb, in the State of Illinois, have invented a useful Improvement in Cultivators; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective representation of our invention, as arranged for the operator toride.

Figure 2, a side elevation of the same, arranged as when the `operator is to walk in the rear.

Figure 3, a top view of the device by which the shovel-handles are adjusted.

Figure 4, a view of the underside of the frame, near one of the wheels, 'and the reversible axle-joint.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of cultivators which are supported on axle-trees and wheels, and used more especially for cultivating crops planted in rows; and its nature, in part, consists in a novel construction of reversible axle-joints, secured to the under side of the frame, and arranged to swing to the front or hack, as the ease may require, for balancing the same on the axle, and in the application of a jointed seat at the rear of the frame, by means of which, when the operator sits thereon, an'd the wheels are thrown back, the frame will balance on the axle the same as when the wheels are thrown to the front, and the seat is folded on its top; and, further, in the application of adjustable handles, pivoted to the standards ofthe shovels, and arranged so that their upper ends may be set the desired distance apart, for" the convenience of tilling the row. The object to be gained by this general arrangement is a walking and riding-cultivator, having a simple construction, and one which can be made at small cost, and operate in a superior manner.

To enable others to fully comprehend the construction and operation of our invention, we have marked corresponding parts with similar letters, and will now give a detailed description.

A B represent a frame, made of wood` or other suitable material, which supports the cultivating-dcvices,

` and it has hinged to its rear end, at N N, a seat, L, as shown at figs. 1 and 2, and to the under sides ci' the side pieces A A are secured reversible axle-joints H H, figs. 1, 2, aiid 4, by means of staples J d, which joints'are made oi' iron, and have arms, K, projecting outward, on which the wheels turn, and they are so arranged as to heA swung to the front or back 'of the staples J J, as the case may require, for balancing the frame A B, as shownat gs. l and 2.

The shovel-standards E E are secured to the beams C C in the usual manner, and the handles, by means of which they are operated, are pivoted to the back sides oi' said standards at R, fig. 2, in-order that the upper ends of the handles may be adjusted to or from each other, as the oase may require, for the convenience ofthe operator; and in order that they may be held firmly in position, when adjusted, slotted vplates F, of iron, are rigidly attached to the handles, and project over` the beams C C, and are held fast to them by means of setserews II, figs. 1- and 3. This latter arrangement is-quite simple, yet important, for if it or a similar device is not used, the inner shovels S S cannot be so conveniently guided.

There-are other parts4 of' the cultiva-tor which have not been described in detail, inasmuch as they have a common construction, and will be fully understood by reference to the drawings.

` v Operation..

Fig. lvrepresents the eultivator arranged for the operator to ride, andin order to change it into what is known as a walking-cultivator'," as shown at fig. 2, the seat L must be placed or folded on the top of frame A B, and the rear of the latter raisedV upewhile the wheels are rn forward, which operation will swing thc reversible axle-joints H H to the front, and thus prevent the tongue from bearing down too heavily, or raising up, and `choking the team.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The reversible axle-joints H H, pivoted to the frame A B, and arranged to balance the same, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the above-described axle-joints with the frame A B and folding seat L, as and for the purpose herein described.

'3. The handles D D, pivoted to the standards E E, and made adjustable to or from each other by means e of the slotted plates F F and set-screws I I, as described and shown. J VV Y. .Y Y. S. WOODWARD, i J. A. WOODWARD,

Witnesses: THOMAS MASON.

J. E. PHELPS,

C. G. GULvEn. 

